One hand clapping
One hand clapping
What is the true form (words) of the koan about one hand clapping? Is it Two hands clap and there is no sound, what is the sound of one hand? Or Two hands clap and there is a sound, now what is the sound of one hand? Or Two hands clap and they make a sound what is the sound of one hand? Not sure.
I'd like to know what it is. I want to do this koan because I want something to think about especially during meditation.
Any help would be appreciated.
Metta.
I'd like to know what it is. I want to do this koan because I want something to think about especially during meditation.
Any help would be appreciated.
Metta.
Re: One hand clapping
What is the sound of one hand is truest to the original- Hakuin Ekaku made that koan. I
"I have made a heap of all that I have met"- Svetonious
Re: One hand clapping
Are you saying that the entire koan is, "What is the sound of one hand?" Or are you saying it's "what is the sound of one hand clapping?".?
Re: One hand clapping
No clapping.
Re: One hand clapping
This looks like a common version: 両掌相打って音声あり、隻手に何の音声かある。
1 Myriad dharmas are only mind.
Mind is unobtainable.
What is there to seek?
2 If the Buddha-Nature is seen,
there will be no seeing of a nature in any thing.
3 Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata.
4 With sudden enlightenment to Tathagata Chan,
the six paramitas and myriad means
are complete within that essence.
1 Huangbo, T2012Ap381c1 2 Nirvana Sutra, T374p521b3; tr. Yamamoto 3 Mazu, X1321p3b23; tr. J. Jia 4 Yongjia, T2014p395c14; tr. from "The Sword of Wisdom"
Mind is unobtainable.
What is there to seek?
2 If the Buddha-Nature is seen,
there will be no seeing of a nature in any thing.
3 Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata.
4 With sudden enlightenment to Tathagata Chan,
the six paramitas and myriad means
are complete within that essence.
1 Huangbo, T2012Ap381c1 2 Nirvana Sutra, T374p521b3; tr. Yamamoto 3 Mazu, X1321p3b23; tr. J. Jia 4 Yongjia, T2014p395c14; tr. from "The Sword of Wisdom"
Re: One hand clapping
I don't speak that language could you translate?
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Re: One hand clapping
Catching the clap off hand?
Re: One hand clapping
I'd like you all to explain what you are talking about.
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Re: One hand clapping
It is a koan.It is for you to catch it or not.
Re: One hand clapping
This koan seems not so effective for western practitioners. It easily creates thoughts from rational judgement.
If it can be thought and answered in any logical ways, it is not considered an effective koan.
If it can be thought and answered in any logical ways, it is not considered an effective koan.
Re: One hand clapping
The 'one hand clapping' koan, in particular, has unfortunately become something of a cultural cliche. These kinds of ideas were introduced into Western culture in the mid-20th century in popular books and the like, and since that time have become emblematic of the 'mysterious East', used to convey the supposedly paradoxical nature of Zen. But since then Zen has come to mean all kinds of things - if you type 'Zen of...' into the Amazon Search bar, this is what you see:
But the point is, koans such as ‘one hand clapping’ are not supposed to 'make sense'. They're not logical syllogisms or rational proofs. Koan practice is an element of specific Zen (and Ch'an) training, and are generally something which are given to students in the context of that training. The fact that they are communicated from teacher to student is key, as the teacher is the one who ascertains if the student really has an insight into the koan. That is the context in which such a koan is meaningful. But even the teacher's judgement is not formularised; there's no 'correct answer'. So, really, trying to explain 'what it's about' or 'what it means', misses the whole point; they are part of an entire context of practice and training, and to really start to understand them, requires studying Zen in depth.
'Only practice with no gaining idea' ~ Suzuki Roshi
Re: One hand clapping
"There is the sound of both palms hit together, but what is the sound of one hand?"
1 Myriad dharmas are only mind.
Mind is unobtainable.
What is there to seek?
2 If the Buddha-Nature is seen,
there will be no seeing of a nature in any thing.
3 Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata.
4 With sudden enlightenment to Tathagata Chan,
the six paramitas and myriad means
are complete within that essence.
1 Huangbo, T2012Ap381c1 2 Nirvana Sutra, T374p521b3; tr. Yamamoto 3 Mazu, X1321p3b23; tr. J. Jia 4 Yongjia, T2014p395c14; tr. from "The Sword of Wisdom"
Mind is unobtainable.
What is there to seek?
2 If the Buddha-Nature is seen,
there will be no seeing of a nature in any thing.
3 Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata.
4 With sudden enlightenment to Tathagata Chan,
the six paramitas and myriad means
are complete within that essence.
1 Huangbo, T2012Ap381c1 2 Nirvana Sutra, T374p521b3; tr. Yamamoto 3 Mazu, X1321p3b23; tr. J. Jia 4 Yongjia, T2014p395c14; tr. from "The Sword of Wisdom"
Re: One hand clapping
I am not certain why I am even asking but you have been great to me!!
Re: One hand clapping
Koans do not necessarily obviate a logical response although that would probably miss the point. They are intended to get dialog with a teacher going and to point to spiritual insight (which is indeed held by most to be beyond strictly linear reasoning). Here are some visuals not themselves intended as a response in an interview.
“Where do atomic bombs come from?”
Zen Master Seung Sahn said, “That’s simple. Atomic bombs come from the mind that likes this and doesn’t like that.”
"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
Zen Master Seung Sahn said, “That’s simple. Atomic bombs come from the mind that likes this and doesn’t like that.”
"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche